Personal Characteristics Associated with Working After Disability Onset for People with Visual Impairments

2021 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105
Author(s):  
Zhen S. McKnight ◽  
Adele Crudden ◽  
Michele C. McDonnall
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Employment Retention ◽  
Rehabilitation Professionals ◽  
Reported Health ◽  
Continue Employment ◽  
Government Benefits

Introduction: This study utilized data from the 2014 Survey of Disability and Employment (SDE) to examine personal characteristics that influenced employment after disability onset for people who are visually impaired (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision). Method: The selected sample from the SDE data set included 131 individuals who are visually impaired, had disability onset after age 14 years, and worked before their disability onset. Logistic regression was used to examine working after disability onset associated with age at disability onset, years since disability onset, gender, race, education, receipt of government disability benefits, self-reported health, encouragement received to work, additional disabilities, and the interaction between age at disability onset and years since disability onset. Results: Persons who were female, received government benefits, and had multiple disabilities were less likely to work after disability onset; persons who had more sources of encouragement were more likely to work after disability onset. Age at disability onset interacted with time since disability onset; as age increased, odds of working after disability onset increased but only for persons who had their disability for at least 4 years. Discussion: Persons with newly acquired disabilities may need time to adjust to their disability and learn new skills that allow them to continue employment. Information about how employment may influence receipt of government benefits would be helpful to persons evaluating their options regarding continuing employment. Implications for practitioners: A person who has not worked after recent disability onset may be adjusting to life with a disability and may return to work in the future. Encouragement to work from both service providers and family members made a meaningful difference in employment retention after disability onset, and this is an area that vocational rehabilitation professionals can influence.

Development and Standardization of an Alienation Scale for Visually Impaired Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 111 (5) ◽  
pp. 427-439 ◽  
Author(s):  
Poonam Punia ◽  
Sandeep Berwal
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Item Analysis ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Reliability And Validity ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Rehabilitation Professionals ◽  
Cultural Estrangement ◽  
Visually Impaired Students ◽  
Context Specific

Introduction The present study was undertaken to develop a valid and reliable scale for measuring a feeling of alienation in students with visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision). Methods In this study, a pool of 60 items was generated to develop an Alienation Scale for Visually Impaired Students (AL-VI) based on a review of the literature and discussions with colleagues and experts in the field. The items were organized into six dimensions of alienation, namely powerlessness, meaninglessness, normlessness, social isolation, self-estrangement, and cultural estrangement, and were rated on the five-point Likert scale. The standardization of the scale was completed with 118 students with visual impairments in the age group of 10 to 25 years, selected randomly from specialized and inclusive schools in the state of Haryana, India. Results The item analysis was done by calculating t- and r-values; seven items were deleted, and a final 45 items were retained. The calculated value of Cronbach's alpha and split-half correlation came out to be 0.87 and 0.86, respectively. The construct validity was determined by computing the coefficient of correlation between scores of this scale and the scores obtained by using the Student Alienation scale (SAS) of R. R. Sharma (Sharma, 2012). The percentile norm for the scale was determined after verifying normality of the scores by using a Q-Q plot. Discussion The findings of the present study suggest that the AL-VI may serve as a useful tool in future research to assess alienation in persons with visual impairments in India. The findings further demonstrate that the AL-VI produced scores that are reliable and valid. The AL-VI can be used outside India after determining its reliability and validity in context-specific conditions. Implications for practitioners The AL-VI scale is applicable to students with visual impairments, teachers of students with visual impairments, principals, social workers, psychologists, and rehabilitation professionals. Practitioners could use this tool for assessing and understanding the level of alienation among students with visual impairments, thereby helping them in planning and executing strategies for remediating alienation.

Customer-Related Social Stressors

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 165-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Dudenhöffer ◽  
Christian Dormann
Keyword(s):  
Service Providers ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Emotional Dissonance ◽  
Social Stressors ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Service Jobs ◽  
Single Data

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to replicate the dimensions of the customer-related social stressors (CSS) concept across service jobs, to investigate their consequences for service providers’ well-being, and to examine emotional dissonance as mediator. Data of 20 studies comprising of different service jobs (N = 4,199) were integrated into a single data set and meta-analyzed. Confirmatory factor analyses and explorative principal component analysis confirmed four CSS scales: disproportionate expectations, verbal aggression, ambiguous expectations, disliked customers. These CSS scales were associated with burnout and job satisfaction. Most of the effects were partially mediated by emotional dissonance. Further analyses revealed that differences among jobs exist with regard to the factor solution. However, associations between CSS and outcomes are mainly invariant across service jobs.

Legislative Diversity and the Rise of Women Lobbyists

2021 ◽  
pp. 106591292110093
Author(s):  
James M. Strickland ◽  
Katelyn E. Stauffer
Keyword(s):  
Gender Diversity ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Revolving Door ◽  
Women And Politics ◽  
Political Equality ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Women Legislators ◽  
Organized Interests ◽  
American States

Despite a growing body of literature examining the consequences of women’s inclusion among lobbyists, our understanding of the factors that lead to women’s initial emergence in the profession is limited. In this study, we propose that gender diversity among legislative targets incentivizes organized interests to hire women lobbyists, and thus helps to explain when and how women emerge as lobbyists. Using a comprehensive data set of registered lobbyist–client pairings from all American states in 1989 and 2011, we find that legislative diversity influences not only the number of lobby contracts held by women but also the number of former women legislators who become revolving-door lobbyists. This second finding further supports the argument that interests capitalize on the personal characteristics of lobbyists, specifically by hiring women to work in more diverse legislatures. Our findings have implications for women and politics, lobbying, and voice and political equality in the United States.

Low Vision Enhancement: The Use of Figure–Ground Reversals with Visually Impaired Children

1985 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 64-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence R. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Functioning ◽  
Black Background ◽  
Printed Materials ◽  
Impaired Children ◽  
Visually Impaired Children

Describes an investigation of how different figure-ground contrast combinations affect the visual functioning of visually impaired children. The study employed the use of field reversals—printing white and yellow foregrounds on a black background—to decrease the amount of light reflected from printed materials to the eye. Eighteen visually impaired children ranging in age from nine years, four months to 14 years, six months participated in this study. The findings indicated that neither reversals in contrast nor chromaticity differences were effective measures for increasing visual functioning.

A Survey of Blind Orientation and Mobility Specialists about the Accommodations and Teaching Strategies They Use when Providing Orientation and Mobility Services

2021 ◽  
pp. 0145482X2110180
Author(s):  
Nora Griffin-Shirley ◽  
Laura Bozeman ◽  
The Nguyen ◽  
Vitalis Othuon ◽  
Anita Page ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Teaching Techniques ◽  
Preparation Programs ◽  
Self Advocacy ◽  
Blind And Visually Impaired ◽  
Orientation And Mobility ◽  
Immersion Training

Introduction: The purpose of the study was to survey orientation and mobility (O&M) instructors who are blind concerning the identification of accommodations, teaching techniques, and resources to teach students with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision). Methods: The study utilized an online survey via Qualtrics (2019) with 27 closed- and open-ended items to identify accommodations, teaching techniques, and resources needed. The survey was e-mailed to membership and certification organizations requesting O&M instructors who are blind to participate for 12 weeks. The participants were 15 O&M specialists, mostly male and Caucasian. Survey data were then analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Forty percentage of the participants reported that there were minimal standards that they had to demonstrate prior to their admittance into an O&M program. About one-fourth of the participants mentioned their program was modified because of their visual impairment. Eleven participants (73%) reported that their nonvisual instructional strategies and techniques were predominantly gained through their university programs or other visually impaired instructors (27%, n = 4). Discussion: Aspects of this study that are similar to the current literature are smaller faculty-to-student ratios for blindfold or simulation cane courses, accommodations used by participants, and suggestions for monitoring the safety of students. The results revealed the participants’ strong belief in the importance of immersion training, the use of the Structured Discovery Cane Travel (SDCT), nonvisual skills during O&M instruction, sleep shades, and students’ problem-solving abilities. Implication for practitioners: Although the participants had received SDCT immersion training, most personnel preparation programs approved by the Association for the Education and Rehabilitation of Blind and Visually Impaired do not use this method. For this reason, it is important for faculty to identify best teaching practices from among all programs and to integrate these practices into their curricula. Sharing best practices could strengthen all programs. Moreover, students with visual impairments should be taught early about self-advocacy and the ability to have helpful knowledge about one’s skills at a university and in the workplace.

scholarly journals Exploring the role of an emotional support and counselling service for people with visual impairments

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Hodge ◽  
Wally Barr ◽  
Louise Bowen ◽  
Martina Leeven ◽  
Paul Knox
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Support ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Mixed Methods Evaluation

There is growing evidence of the need for services to address the emotional support needs of people with visual impairments. This article presents findings from a mixed methods evaluation of an emotional support and counselling (ESaC) service delivered within an integrated low vision service, focusing primarily on the qualitative findings. Data collected using a standardised measure of psychological well-being (Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation–Outcome Measure; CORE-OM) show an improvement in the psychological well-being of clients of the service between baseline and follow-up assessment. Qualitative findings from interviews with service users and service providers help to illustrate and explain the experiences underlying the quantitative findings. The ESaC services are shown to be helpful to service users in two particular ways: helping them to normalise their experiences by talking to an impartial listener and helping them to accept and adapt to the physical, emotional and social changes in their lives resulting from their visual impairment.

The Visually Impaired Driver in New York State

1979 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 228-232
Author(s):  
Norman J. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
New York State ◽  
Lens System ◽  
York State ◽  
The Third ◽  
Road Signs ◽  
Third Phase ◽  
Usual Manner

Describes a three-part driving program for low vision persons. Potential trainees are first interviewed to detect problems that may interfere with success. Suitable candidates are then trained to quickly detect and recognize objects through a bioptic lens system. In the third phase, a mobility instructor gives training in various aspects of the automobile and driving, and the trainee is quizzed on road signs and markings while riding as a passenger. Students successfully completing all three phases may then go on to obtain a Learner's Permit and take driving lessons in the usual manner.

Driving with Low Vision

1979 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 345-350
Author(s):  
Dennis K. Kelleher
Keyword(s):  
Preliminary Data ◽  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Training Sequences ◽  
Conducting Research ◽  
Licensing Standards

Discusses the current status of driving with low vision, both with and without a bioptic telescope. It specifies licensing criteria, training sequences, and identifies problem areas. Preliminary data from a comparison of safety records in three states are presented and recommendations are made for future licensing standards and for conducting research on visually impaired drivers.

scholarly journals Effects of Line Spacing on Reading Performance of Normally Sighted and Simulated Visually-Impaired Subjects: A Pilot Study Using Arabic Words

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 84
Author(s):  
Abdullah Z. Alotaibi
Keyword(s):  
Visually Impaired ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Reading Rate ◽  
Reading Performance ◽  
White Background ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Line Spacing ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Letter Size ◽  
Visually Impaired Persons

The study aims to evaluate the role of line spacing during reading in normal and visually-impaired persons. A total of 225 normally-sighted participants with mean age of 23.7 years were asked to read Arabic sentences in a randomized order. Each Arabic sentence contains 7 lines with and without simulated cataract. The words were printed with black letters on white background to enhance contrast and fonts were in Times New Roman and of N12 letter size. The reading pages were placed on reading stand situated 25 cm away from the subject’s eyes. The simulated cataract was created by using a Bernell Cling Patch Occluder. This reduced the visual acuity of all subjects to 20/60. Each line of the text was separated by different line spacing namely: single space, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 4.0 which represents, 0.5 cm, 0.8 cm, 1.1 cm, 1.4 cm, 1.7 cm and 2.0 cm, respectively. The sheets were presented randomly and participants’ voices were recorded as they read under a controlled time. The tape was analysed later and reading rate was calculated. There was a significant difference (p<0.0001) in reading rates between the normal sighted persons and the visually impaired persons for all line spacing. Modifying the spacing between lines in prints had a significant impact (p<0.0001) on the reading rate of the visually impaired but not in normally-sighted persons (p˃0.05). Intermediate line spacing (2 and 2.5) increased the reading rate of the visually impaired persons significantly more (p<0.001) than other line spacing, but smaller or larger line spacing slowed their reading rate, significantly (p<0.001). The visually-impaired persons reported that they felt the difference in reading prints with larger line spacing as compared with normal sighted participants who did not. It is beneficial to adequately modify the line spacing in prints commonly read by low vision persons. For Arab subjects the optimum line spacing to significantly improve reading in the visually impaired should range from 0.8 to 1.1 cm. This finding may be a useful for publishers of Arab prints targeting the visually impaired persons. Thus, the implication of the study in the field of health is that by establishing the least common line spacing visualized optimally among normal and simulated visually impaired persons would be fixed as default line spacing for Arab printing to achieve better reading performance.

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